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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| The High Street | The High Street |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Words: Sarah Bell, Victoria Bone. Pictures: Emma Lynch. Video: Fiona Graham | Words: Sarah Bell, Victoria Bone. Pictures: Emma Lynch. Video: Fiona Graham |
| What began as a credit crisis in banking now seems to have spread to other parts of the economy, with some experts saying the UK is already in recession. | What began as a credit crisis in banking now seems to have spread to other parts of the economy, with some experts saying the UK is already in recession. |
| But how is it affecting shopkeepers? We visited Shirley High Street in Southampton which has the kind of retailers found on shopping streets up and down the country. | But how is it affecting shopkeepers? We visited Shirley High Street in Southampton which has the kind of retailers found on shopping streets up and down the country. |
| We asked shop owners and customers whether the crisis was affecting them. And we'll return there in the weeks ahead. | We asked shop owners and customers whether the crisis was affecting them. And we'll return there in the weeks ahead. |
| Click on the shops above to find out what people had to say. | Click on the shops above to find out what people had to say. |
| Kerry Hewitt, pub landlady | Kerry Hewitt, pub landlady |
| Ms Hewitt, who has been landlady of The Crown for four years, says she is not panicking at the moment, as her business has "very strong" foundations. | Ms Hewitt, who has been landlady of The Crown for four years, says she is not panicking at the moment, as her business has "very strong" foundations. |
| "We're quite lucky as we have a strong customer base of regulars who come in at specific times and drink." | "We're quite lucky as we have a strong customer base of regulars who come in at specific times and drink." |
| Ms Hewitt says she has seen a "minor drop" in sales in the past few weeks, but overall trade is slightly higher than this time last year. | Ms Hewitt says she has seen a "minor drop" in sales in the past few weeks, but overall trade is slightly higher than this time last year. |
| "We've seen a drop in trade with food sales. People come in and drink, they can afford beer, but can't spoil themselves by having lunch," she added. | "We've seen a drop in trade with food sales. People come in and drink, they can afford beer, but can't spoil themselves by having lunch," she added. |
| Ms Hewitt says there are a lot of pubs in the area, so she ensures people choose The Crown by employing good staff, providing entertainment, and ensuring it is always clean and trouble-free. | Ms Hewitt says there are a lot of pubs in the area, so she ensures people choose The Crown by employing good staff, providing entertainment, and ensuring it is always clean and trouble-free. |
| "The price of beer isn't really an influencing factor for a lot of customers. What sells beer isn't the price but the pub," she says. Back to the street | "The price of beer isn't really an influencing factor for a lot of customers. What sells beer isn't the price but the pub," she says. Back to the street |
| Debbie Neary, charity shop | Debbie Neary, charity shop |
| Debbie Neary manages the Clic Sargent charity shop on Shirley High Street. | Debbie Neary manages the Clic Sargent charity shop on Shirley High Street. |
| Ms Neary, 50, has been manager of the Clic Sargent charity shop for 10 years. She has seen a big drop in donations as people feel the pinch. | Ms Neary, 50, has been manager of the Clic Sargent charity shop for 10 years. She has seen a big drop in donations as people feel the pinch. |
| "We just don't get what we used to. I think a lot of people are either taking stuff to car boot sales or selling it on eBay to make some money for themselves. | "We just don't get what we used to. I think a lot of people are either taking stuff to car boot sales or selling it on eBay to make some money for themselves. |
| "We used to get lots and lots of paperback books, but in last week's deliveries we got four. It's the same with clothes, we're getting so much less and it's not as good quality. We really have to really pick through everything to find decent stuff. We want to keep the standard of the shop high, but it's hard when you've got less choice." | "We used to get lots and lots of paperback books, but in last week's deliveries we got four. It's the same with clothes, we're getting so much less and it's not as good quality. We really have to really pick through everything to find decent stuff. We want to keep the standard of the shop high, but it's hard when you've got less choice." |
| Debbie is seeing more customers coming through her doors as well. | Debbie is seeing more customers coming through her doors as well. |
| "I think people are looking in charity shops more to save a few pennies. We save up winter stock that comes in over the summer, but almost all of it has gone already. | "I think people are looking in charity shops more to save a few pennies. We save up winter stock that comes in over the summer, but almost all of it has gone already. |
| "Particularly this year we're seeing people buying winter coats, I suppose because they're an expensive purchase." | "Particularly this year we're seeing people buying winter coats, I suppose because they're an expensive purchase." |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| Jenette Burlingham, tanning salon | Jenette Burlingham, tanning salon |
| Tan opened five months ago and Mrs Burlingham believes it will weather the financial storm. | Tan opened five months ago and Mrs Burlingham believes it will weather the financial storm. |
| "I'm confident this time next year this place will be booming. People are not going to be able to go on holiday, so this is where they will come for a touch of luxury," she says. | "I'm confident this time next year this place will be booming. People are not going to be able to go on holiday, so this is where they will come for a touch of luxury," she says. |
| "The credit crunch will hit, and it's going to get worse. But my business will stay, in the summer people will want to come for a bit of warmth." | "The credit crunch will hit, and it's going to get worse. But my business will stay, in the summer people will want to come for a bit of warmth." |
| She explains business in tanning salons follows a cycle over the year, peaking in the summer, and it was too early to gauge its overall performance. | She explains business in tanning salons follows a cycle over the year, peaking in the summer, and it was too early to gauge its overall performance. |
| She adds business had been affected earlier in the year because the High Street had been closed for resurfacing work which meant buses were directed away. | She adds business had been affected earlier in the year because the High Street had been closed for resurfacing work which meant buses were directed away. |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| Peter Gallagher, discount store | Peter Gallagher, discount store |
| Peter Gallagher runs the Shirley Market, following in his father-in-law's footsteps. | Peter Gallagher runs the Shirley Market, following in his father-in-law's footsteps. |
| Shirley Market, the general discount store, which has been in Shirley for 30 years, has recently attracted a more upmarket customer. | Shirley Market, the general discount store, which has been in Shirley for 30 years, has recently attracted a more upmarket customer. |
| Mr Gallagher explains: "The person who wouldn't usually shop in this kind of place. The type of people who would usually shop at John Lewis. They're coming in and looking for things like tin openers." | Mr Gallagher explains: "The person who wouldn't usually shop in this kind of place. The type of people who would usually shop at John Lewis. They're coming in and looking for things like tin openers." |
| "We're not having a great time of it but we're not as bad as others may be. Saying that, it's hard. As individuals we have to work a little bit harder at it." | "We're not having a great time of it but we're not as bad as others may be. Saying that, it's hard. As individuals we have to work a little bit harder at it." |
| He says they are not suffering from a drop in customers, but from increased bank charges on overdrafts and credit card transactions. | He says they are not suffering from a drop in customers, but from increased bank charges on overdrafts and credit card transactions. |
| "Anything we claw back through increased demand gets nicked backed at the other end which hurts me," he says. | "Anything we claw back through increased demand gets nicked backed at the other end which hurts me," he says. |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| John Hanna, cafe | John Hanna, cafe |
| John Hanna has owned Tuck's cafe on Shirley High Street since January 2008. | John Hanna has owned Tuck's cafe on Shirley High Street since January 2008. |
| Tucks Café has been on the High Street for 22 years. Mr Hanna, 52, took over in January and is finding things a struggle. | Tucks Café has been on the High Street for 22 years. Mr Hanna, 52, took over in January and is finding things a struggle. |
| "I'm absolutely dreading the water bill. We're looking at about £2,500 for the year. That's what kills this business - the rates. | "I'm absolutely dreading the water bill. We're looking at about £2,500 for the year. That's what kills this business - the rates. |
| "Don't be misguided by the number of customers. I could have 50 customers but if they're all drinking just a coffee, it doesn't add up to much. Toast is the worst - I have to run two burners, buy bread and butter, wash up afterwards and all for 35p. And the government takes 17.5% of that in VAT. | "Don't be misguided by the number of customers. I could have 50 customers but if they're all drinking just a coffee, it doesn't add up to much. Toast is the worst - I have to run two burners, buy bread and butter, wash up afterwards and all for 35p. And the government takes 17.5% of that in VAT. |
| "I mean 'Value Added Tax', who's getting any value? The government, that's who." | "I mean 'Value Added Tax', who's getting any value? The government, that's who." |
| Mr Hanna says he believes that for his elderly customers it is cheaper to eat out than at home. | Mr Hanna says he believes that for his elderly customers it is cheaper to eat out than at home. |
| "They don't have to pay for heating here." | "They don't have to pay for heating here." |
| He is says his life is "very, very stressful" and he fears for the future. | He is says his life is "very, very stressful" and he fears for the future. |
| "I've invested in this place, tried to build it up, but I've probably taken home about £4,000 all year. | "I've invested in this place, tried to build it up, but I've probably taken home about £4,000 all year. |
| "My house is on the line and I don't even live in it. I've had to rent it. My partner and I live above the café - it's a real dump, but we've got no choice. | "My house is on the line and I don't even live in it. I've had to rent it. My partner and I live above the café - it's a real dump, but we've got no choice. |
| "It's the money the government takes that's the worst thing. That really hurts." | "It's the money the government takes that's the worst thing. That really hurts." |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| Phil Rolf, greengrocer | Phil Rolf, greengrocer |
| Mr Rolf, 42, has worked at Jim Rolf's greengrocers for 28 years, first for his father then for himself. He is upbeat. | Mr Rolf, 42, has worked at Jim Rolf's greengrocers for 28 years, first for his father then for himself. He is upbeat. |
| "The last two years have probably been the best we've ever had, but that's because we're really making a real effort, we're not just doing what we've always done. I've made us more efficient. I've just switched energy deals and we've doubled our product range so we can cater for a bigger audience. | "The last two years have probably been the best we've ever had, but that's because we're really making a real effort, we're not just doing what we've always done. I've made us more efficient. I've just switched energy deals and we've doubled our product range so we can cater for a bigger audience. |
| "I have had to put up my prices because everything costs more for me to buy. Eggs, for example, have probably gone up about 25%. And we import fruit and veg so we're affected by the weak pound." | "I have had to put up my prices because everything costs more for me to buy. Eggs, for example, have probably gone up about 25%. And we import fruit and veg so we're affected by the weak pound." |
| "I've had to look at everything we do to see where we can save, otherwise I think we would be struggling. The annoying thing is there are still things you can't control like the price of diesel. So you're doing everything you can, but you're still standing still." | "I've had to look at everything we do to see where we can save, otherwise I think we would be struggling. The annoying thing is there are still things you can't control like the price of diesel. So you're doing everything you can, but you're still standing still." |
| He is actually optimistic about the impact of a recession. | He is actually optimistic about the impact of a recession. |
| "I think what this time will do is weed out the rubbish. The good businesses will survive and get stronger and the rubbish will disappear. I think the economy needs that." | "I think what this time will do is weed out the rubbish. The good businesses will survive and get stronger and the rubbish will disappear. I think the economy needs that." |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| Natasha Hint, mobile phone shop | Natasha Hint, mobile phone shop |
| Ms Hint, 28, has been in charge of Carphone Warehouse for two years and business is booming. | Ms Hint, 28, has been in charge of Carphone Warehouse for two years and business is booming. |
| "We're finding that we're actually doing better than last year. We're definitely seeing an increase in people taking out contracts - credit basically - rather than pay as you go. | "We're finding that we're actually doing better than last year. We're definitely seeing an increase in people taking out contracts - credit basically - rather than pay as you go. |
| "And people still want the latest phone. They come in and ask about it and I'll say, 'Look, if you wait a few months, the price will have come down and you'll be due an upgrade so you can get it for less.' But they say, 'No', they want it now. | "And people still want the latest phone. They come in and ask about it and I'll say, 'Look, if you wait a few months, the price will have come down and you'll be due an upgrade so you can get it for less.' But they say, 'No', they want it now. |
| "It's amazing really. I thought people would be cutting back. Our sales targets have been reduced, but I don't think that'll last long the way things are going." | "It's amazing really. I thought people would be cutting back. Our sales targets have been reduced, but I don't think that'll last long the way things are going." |
| She is feeling the squeeze at home herself, but at work it seems to be business as usual. | She is feeling the squeeze at home herself, but at work it seems to be business as usual. |
| "I'm worrying about my mortgage. I'm even thinking about having to get a second job, but other people just come in here and spend." | "I'm worrying about my mortgage. I'm even thinking about having to get a second job, but other people just come in here and spend." |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| Fred Webb and Jamie Mills, butchers | Fred Webb and Jamie Mills, butchers |
| Jamie Mills works at John Wildman and Sons, an independent butchers | Jamie Mills works at John Wildman and Sons, an independent butchers |
| John Wildman and Sons has been in business for 11 years and is "up and down", according to Mr Webb. | |
| "We're not as busy as we should be but it's not too bad at the moment. We have some good days." | "We're not as busy as we should be but it's not too bad at the moment. We have some good days." |
| He says there were eight butchers' shops on the High Street when he started working 45 years ago. He blames supermarkets for the demise of independent traders. | He says there were eight butchers' shops on the High Street when he started working 45 years ago. He blames supermarkets for the demise of independent traders. |
| "People go in with a trolley and just put things in without thinking about how much it costs," he says. | "People go in with a trolley and just put things in without thinking about how much it costs," he says. |
| "When people come in and ask how much steak is and we say it is £40 a kilo, it sounds a lot, but when they're in the supermarket they don't notice the price." | "When people come in and ask how much steak is and we say it is £40 a kilo, it sounds a lot, but when they're in the supermarket they don't notice the price." |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
| Eamon Tang, Chinese restaurant | Eamon Tang, Chinese restaurant |
| Mr Tang, 26, has run the Little Buddha restaurant for two-and-a-half years and things are very tough. | Mr Tang, 26, has run the Little Buddha restaurant for two-and-a-half years and things are very tough. |
| "Things are slowing down a lot. People are spending much, much less. A year ago we were maybe making 20% more. | "Things are slowing down a lot. People are spending much, much less. A year ago we were maybe making 20% more. |
| "My bills have gone up too. Cooking oil has gone up 30 or 40% over the last year. We deliver as well and so there's the price of petrol too. And my rent has just gone up. | "My bills have gone up too. Cooking oil has gone up 30 or 40% over the last year. We deliver as well and so there's the price of petrol too. And my rent has just gone up. |
| "I can't afford to, but I think I might have to bring prices down to get more people in. We're already doing a special buffet in the evening to try to get more people." | "I can't afford to, but I think I might have to bring prices down to get more people in. We're already doing a special buffet in the evening to try to get more people." |
| He believes the government must step in to help. | He believes the government must step in to help. |
| "We have to be optimistic, but also realistic. It's not going to get any better, at least for a while, and the government is not doing anything. | "We have to be optimistic, but also realistic. It's not going to get any better, at least for a while, and the government is not doing anything. |
| "They should give us a hand. They should cut VAT down to 10%. | "They should give us a hand. They should cut VAT down to 10%. |
| "It's a real struggle. We do get busier over Christmas, but this year I don't think it's going to be enough." | "It's a real struggle. We do get busier over Christmas, but this year I don't think it's going to be enough." |
| Back to the street | Back to the street |
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